About us

our mission is to design places that enhance the lives of those who live in them

Our designs create buildings, places and environments for people to live, work, relax and thrive in.

We approach every project as if it were our first - with the same excitement, enthusiasm and commitment - and we share our knowledge and experience with our clients to deliver successful outcomes and exceed expectations.

We offer an individual service which is tailored to client needs and project requirements. We pride ourselves on our reputation, design flair, technical competence, commerciality and proactive approach.

planning expertise

Our planning success rate currently sits at 86% for residential projects. We are vastly experienced at bringing projects through the design process, liaising with local authorities and their planning teams and other stakeholders to get positive results.

Drawing plans

technical experience

Our technical team have delivered for major housebuilders, public sector bodies and private clients. Their rounded experience, plus expertise in BIM and digital delivery, leads to buildable and compliant schemes.

quality, legislation and sustainability

We pride ourselves on our service quality. Our processes and approach are certified to ISO9001, ISO14001 and CHAS, meaning you know you are working with a team that are trusted, proven and consistent.

Keeping up to date with current building performance requirements, planning legislation and material technology is part of our daily work. We actively seek out technological advances and where appropriate prescribe them on our projects or in our processes. We are experienced in BIM and using Revit to the benefit of our projects and clients.

We consider sustainability throughout the design process, with embodied carbon, carbon reduction in delivery and use high on the agenda. We have a deep understanding of achieving BREEAM across different project types, including education and commercial. We are experienced in undertaking lifecycle assessments which positively impact our designs through enhancing maintenance strategies and end-of-life approaches.

our practice

gdm is an award-winning, RIBA Chartered Practice with a wealth of experience of delivering successful projects in virtually all market sectors. From our head office in Maidstone, Kent we have worked extensively throughout the UK and overseas.

We undertake all architectural services in house and offer both planning and technical specialisms, delivering professionally from conception to completion. This combined provision means that our planning team design projects that can be delivered technically and our technical team understand the planning ethos.

gdm architects team workinggdm architects team workinggdm architects team working

our culture

Our office is a welcoming space for all and we operate an open door approach in which we encourage collective involvement and self development. Our team thrive on collaboration and teamwork, sharing best practice and bringing creativity to all our schemes.

We are a dynamic, young and vibrant team who enjoy problem solving and bringing creative ideas to the table. We're trusted by our clients, who often engage us early on for advice and our knowledge.

We believe in engaging the next generation. We have several Part I and Part II students who are encouraged to pursue their career goals and are mentored through their growth. We also mentor RIBA students from the University of Kent and University of the Creative Arts yearly, who gain an insight into what life as an architect is like before embarking on their careers.

We are an inspired, committed and dedicated team with a common aim to serve our clients and projects through design, management and delivery exceeding expectations.

Kevin Matthews with teamgdm architects team imagegdm team member at desk

services

Although our core business will always be architecture, at gdm we are able to tailor our role and can offer a wide range of services to suit individual clients and project needs.

Our services can include but are not limited to;


  • Site and development appraisals
  • Feasibility studies and reports
  • Concept studies
  • Planning applications
  • Construction technical information

Our role can also vary and we can offer our services in the following ways;

  • Traditional architect appointment
  • Lead consultant
  • Limited design and feasibility studies
  • Design and Build architect
  • Employers agent

frameworks

Clients are able to access our services through several public frameworks, providing a compliant and effective route to market. Please see a list of our framework appointments below:

Crescent Purchasing Consortium - Estates and Facilities Professionals Services

Access via CPC's website

London Construction Programme - DPS for Construction Services

Access via adamprocure

Constellia Neutral Vendor Framework

Access via Constellia

Close up of project booklet

About us

our mission is to design places that enhance the lives of those who live in them

Our designs create buildings, places and environments for people to live, work, relax and thrive in.

We approach every project as if it were our first - with the same excitement, enthusiasm and commitment - and we share our knowledge and experience with our clients to deliver successful outcomes and exceed expectations.

We offer an individual service which is tailored to client needs and project requirements. We pride ourselves on our reputation, design flair, technical competence, commerciality and proactive approach.

planning expertise

Our planning success rate currently sits at 86% for residential projects. We are vastly experienced at bringing projects through the design process, liaising with local authorities and their planning teams and other stakeholders to get positive results.

Drawing plans

technical experience

Our technical team have delivered for major housebuilders, public sector bodies and private clients. Their rounded experience, plus expertise in BIM and digital delivery, leads to buildable and compliant schemes.

quality, legislation and sustainability

We pride ourselves on our service quality. Our processes and approach are certified to ISO9001, ISO14001 and CHAS, meaning you know you are working with a team that are trusted, proven and consistent.

Keeping up to date with current building performance requirements, planning legislation and material technology is part of our daily work. We actively seek out technological advances and where appropriate prescribe them on our projects or in our processes. We are experienced in BIM and using Revit to the benefit of our projects and clients.

We consider sustainability throughout the design process, with embodied carbon, carbon reduction in delivery and use high on the agenda. We have a deep understanding of achieving BREEAM across different project types, including education and commercial. We are experienced in undertaking lifecycle assessments which positively impact our designs through enhancing maintenance strategies and end-of-life approaches.

our practice

gdm is an award-winning, RIBA Chartered Practice with a wealth of experience of delivering successful projects in virtually all market sectors. From our head office in Maidstone, Kent we have worked extensively throughout the UK and overseas.

We undertake all architectural services in house and offer both planning and technical specialisms, delivering professionally from conception to completion. This combined provision means that our planning team design projects that can be delivered technically and our technical team understand the planning ethos.

gdm architects team workinggdm architects team workinggdm architects team working

our culture

Our office is a welcoming space for all and we operate an open door approach in which we encourage collective involvement and self development. Our team thrive on collaboration and teamwork, sharing best practice and bringing creativity to all our schemes.

We are a dynamic, young and vibrant team who enjoy problem solving and bringing creative ideas to the table. We're trusted by our clients, who often engage us early on for advice and our knowledge.

We believe in engaging the next generation. We have several Part I and Part II students who are encouraged to pursue their career goals and are mentored through their growth. We also mentor RIBA students from the University of Kent and University of the Creative Arts yearly, who gain an insight into what life as an architect is like before embarking on their careers.

We are an inspired, committed and dedicated team with a common aim to serve our clients and projects through design, management and delivery exceeding expectations.

Kevin Matthews with teamgdm architects team imagegdm team member at desk

services

Although our core business will always be architecture, at gdm we are able to tailor our role and can offer a wide range of services to suit individual clients and project needs.

Our services can include but are not limited to;


  • Site and development appraisals
  • Feasibility studies and reports
  • Concept studies
  • Planning applications
  • Construction technical information

Our role can also vary and we can offer our services in the following ways;

  • Traditional architect appointment
  • Lead consultant
  • Limited design and feasibility studies
  • Design and Build architect
  • Employers agent

Close up of project booklet

frameworks

Clients are able to access our services through several public frameworks, providing a compliant and effective route to market. Please see a list of our framework appointments and below:

Crescent Purchasing Consortium - Estates and Facilities Professionals Services

Access via CPC's website:

London Construction Programme - DPS for Construction Services

Access via adamprocure:

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Meet the team

Glen Ernest team image
Managing Director

Glen Ernest

Gavin Ernest team image
Director

Gavin Ernest

Kevin Matthews team image
Director

Kevin Matthews

Mitch Castro team image
Associate

Mitch Castro

Associate

Rory Newell

Gareth Leggeat team image
Associate

Gareth Leggeat

Associate

Rory Newell

Rory Newell team image
Associate

Rory Newell

Associate

Rory Newell

Tom Atkins team image
Senior Technologist

Tom Atkins

Associate

Rory Newell

Anastassia Maari team image
Senior Architectural Manager

Anastassia Maari

Associate

Rory Newell

gdm team meeting
Associate

Rory Newell

Ian Bedford team image
Senior Technologist

Ian Bedford

Associate

Rory Newell

Peter Cameron team image
Senior Technologist

Peter Cameron

Associate

Rory Newell

Rebecca Lovell team image
Architect

Rebecca Lovell

Associate

Rory Newell

Daniel Day team image
Architectural Assistant

Daniel Day

Associate

Rory Newell

Allison Franks team image
Architectural Assistant

Allison Franks

Associate

Rory Newell

Lauren Heather team image
Architectural Assistant

Lauren Heather

Associate

Rory Newell

Lewis Potts team image
Architectural Assistant

Lewis Potts

Associate

Rory Newell

Jacob Viner team image
Architectural Assistant

Jacob Viner

Associate

Rory Newell

gdm team members in the office
Associate

Rory Newell

Rosan Rai team image
Architectural Assistant

Rosan Rai

Associate

Rory Newell

Eryn Willis team image
Architectural Assistant

Eryn Willis

Associate

Rory Newell

Josh Summers team image
Architectural Assistant

Josh Summers

Associate

Rory Newell

Marks Belinovs team image
Architectural Assistant

Marks Belinovs

Associate

Rory Newell

gdm team playing ping pong
Associate

Rory Newell

Megan Ernest team image
Commercial Manager

Megan Ernest

Associate

Rory Newell

Claire Lucas team image
PA & Finance Assistant

Claire Lucas

Associate

Rory Newell

Georgia Saunders team image
Apprentice

Georgia Saunders

Associate

Rory Newell

Steph Harris team image
Marketing Consultant

Steph Harris

gdm team playing ping pong

Testimonials

“gdm fully understood the needs of the Trust and equally the importance of children being at the heart of all elements of the design”

Tommy Cullen

COO at Stour Academy Trust